Work

Systematic Development of Degradable Polyester Biomaterials via Ring-Opening Copolymerization of Succinic Anhydride and Epoxides

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Degradable polyester materials are widely utilized in medicine as resorbable sutures, implantable devices, and drug delivery. These applications require precise and tunable degradation control; predictable number-average molecular weight ( M̅ n ), narrow polydispersity (PDI), and diverse material properties define polyester utility, which are not easily achieved through well-established synthesis approaches. Ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) provides reproducible M̅ n control, narrow PDI, and expands monomer diversity. In this work, poly(cyclohexene succinate) (PCS) and poly(propylene succinate) (PPS) were synthesized through a central composite design of experiments approach, systematically varying anhydride:epoxide ratio, monomer:catalyst ratio, reaction temperature, and reaction time. Reduced synthesis factor-response models explained significant variation for all characterized properties relevant to degradation control. PCS and PPS readily degraded under base-catalyzed hydrolysis conditions with significantly higher mass loss in PPS materials compared to PCS, highlighting the monomer selection influence in degradation behaviour. These findings highlight the potential for ROCOP to generate degradable biomaterials with reproducible material properties in application-specific biomedical use.

Source: Biomacromolecules

DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5c02286

Authors: Sara C. Murrin, Kaitlyn E. Woodworth, Brenden Wheeler, Zachary S.C.S. Froom, Alison J. Scott, Locke Davenport Huyer

Institutions: Dalhousie University, Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre, Nova Scotia Health Authority

Language: English

Topic: biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: green